On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast

The “gravy plane” story refuses to go away — and this week on On the Ledge, the panel breaks down why the Ford government’s latest document dump may have created more questions than answers.Host Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, veteran political journalist Keith Leslie, and pollster John Wright for a wide-ranging discussion about accountability, affordability, and the political risks facing the Ford government heading into summer.The panel examines the nearly $200,000 in added costs tied to Ontario’s controversial aircraft purchase and resale, why opposition parties continue to hammer the issue, and whether Doug Ford’s recent messaging reset is actually connecting with voters struggling with grocery prices, fuel costs, and economic anxiety.Also in this episode:The Auditor General’s troubling findings on trucking safety oversightAI use in Ontario healthcare and the politics of “hallucinating” headlinesOngoing failures at the Family Responsibility OfficeDeclining media scrutiny and the erosion of accountability mechanismsOntario Liberal Party infighting and the Nate Erskine-Smith nomination controversyIt’s another candid, fast-moving conversation about the stories shaping Ontario politics right now — and what they could mean for the months ahead.Chapters00:00 – Introduction and the latest “gravy plane” revelations05:00 – Opposition strategy, political tone, and Ford’s messaging reset13:00 – Affordability pressures, cost-of-living politics, and Doug Ford’s new video strategy23:20 – Auditor General reports: trucking safety, AI in healthcare, and accountability gaps34:15 – Government transparency, media decline, and the changing accountability landscape51:20 – Ontario Liberal Party turmoil, Nate Erskine-Smith controversy, and leadership speculationOntario Politics Podcast: Doug Ford Gravy Plane Scandal, Cost of Living Crisis & Auditor General ReportFord Government Accountability Questions Grow | Ontario Politics, AI Healthcare & Liberal Party DramaOntario Politics Explained: Gravy Plane Costs, Affordability Anxiety & Nate Erskine-Smith ControversyYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

Doug Ford’s government is facing mounting pressure — and this week on On the Ledge, the panel breaks down why the controversy around the “gravy plane,” freedom-of-information changes, and Highway 413 transparency questions just won’t go away.Host Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, veteran pollster John Wright, and longtime Queen’s Park journalist Keith Leslie for a wide-ranging discussion about political tone, accountability, affordability, and the future of Ontario politics.The conversation examines Ford’s increasingly testy exchanges with reporters, the government’s effort to move the agenda back toward trade and economic issues, and whether voters are paying more attention to affordability concerns than political scandals. The panel also digs into the Ontario government’s handling of Greenbelt-related information requests and why critics keep asking one central question: “What are you hiding?”Plus:The escalating tone at Queen’s ParkMarit Stiles vs. Doug FordWhy teacher negotiations could define the fall political seasonHonda’s pause on Ontario EV investmentsWhether Ontario missed its chance to build EV infrastructure properlyNate Erskine-Smith and the Scarborough Southwest Liberal nomination battleWhat Ontario Liberals still need before they can seriously challenge FordThe episode also includes a preview of an upcoming conversation about the future of education and innovative student-led learning models at Pickering College.Chapters00:00 – Introduction and Ford’s difficult return to the spotlight06:45 – Transparency fights: FOI battles, Greenbelt questions, and the “what are you hiding?” problem17:05 – Schools, labour unrest, and why the fall political season could become explosive27:40 – Political tone, civility, and escalating rhetoric at Queen’s Park36:45 – Honda pauses EV investment and Ontario’s uncertain automotive future45:25 – Scarborough Southwest nomination battle and Ontario Liberal leadership speculationYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

It was a rough week for Ontario Premier Doug Ford.His Tories are looking up at the leaderless Liberals in latest polling.His tone-deaf, off brand decision to buy a jet.An unhinged rant against Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth.And gutting the Freedom of Information laws paint the Premier as unaccountable and sneaky.This week’s On the Ledge former Premier, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario PC Leader and Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, veteran political commentator Keith Leslie and Toronto SUN columnist Brian Lilley join host Dave Trafford to dig into a challenging stretch for Premier Doug Fordand broader questions about the government’s direction. For the first time in months, the conversation on the pod has NOT been dominated by comments Premier Ford made at "an unrelated news conference". The legislature is not sitting this week and, uncharacteristically, Ford has not used the off week to make his usual podium pronouncements from various provincial locales.Is the premier purposefully stepping away from the media this week? Probably advisable given the comms, policy, polling and political grief he's been taking - including his decision to expropirate most of the Toronto Islands, Little Norway Park and big-foot his way into municipal politics across the province.It leads us to focus on his apparant  lack of vision and messaging discipline.With no election on the horizon, the question isn’t just what happens next. The question is whether the Ford government can reset, refocus, and recover by articulating a compelling agenda for the years ahead.Chapters00:00 – IntroductionDave Trafford introduces On the Ledge and the roundtable.01:15 – Ford’s Rough Weeks and the Stephanie Smythe FalloutThe panel discusses Doug Ford’s apology, media blowback, and questions about political judgment.04:00 – Communication Discipline and OverexposureJohn Tory, Keith Leslie, and the panel examine why premiers get into trouble when they answer for every issue.06:15 – FOI, Accountability and the Greenbelt ConnectionThe discussion turns to freedom-of-information changes and concerns about what the government may be trying to shield.09:20 – Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto’s Waterfront FightThe panel explores the proposed airport expansion, municipal politics, Olivia Chow, and waterfront livability.19:20 – Strong Mayor Powers and Regional GovernanceDiscussion shifts to Niagara, appointed regional chairs, municipal restructuring, and democratic accountability.24:30 – Ford’s Poll Slump and an Aimless GovernmentBrian Lilley’s column frames a broader debate about whether the Ford government has lost its sense of purpose.28:45 – What’s the Vision for a Fourth Ford Mandate?The panel looks at polling, “time for change” numbers, affordability, infrastructure, and whether Ford can reset.37:30 – Taxes, Public Services and the ‘Am I Better Off?’ TestDebate over Ford’s no-tax-increase record, education funding, health care, housing, and day-to-day affordability.41:55 – Remote Work, Queen’s Park and Political HypocrisyThe panel discusses reports that Ford worked from home after ordering public servants back to the office.47:30 – Cell Phones in Schools and Education CultureBrian Lilley and the panel discuss school cell phone rules, parents, teachers, and broader challenges in education.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.